In the history of cinema, Satyajit Ray's magnum opus "Pather Panchali" touched hearts worldwide, especially cementing the bond between Apu and Durga, played by Subir Banerjee and Uma Dasgupta respectively. 

Today, following the news of Uma Dasgupta's passing, Subir Banerjee, the famed face of young Apu, expressed his deep sorrow and respect. She died early this morning, around 8am, in a private hospital on Bypass Road, Kolkata, after a long battle with illness.

In an interview with Anandabazar Digital, Subir shared his grief, stating, "I received the news this morning—didi is no more. I knew she had been ill for a long time, but still, hearing about her passing was hard to accept. My heart is heavy today."

Recalling their time on the sets of "Pather Panchali", Subir fondly remembered the bond that blossomed between them. "All those memories from the 'Pather Panchali' shooting days have come flooding back. I was just nine years old then, and Umadi was 14. I didn't understand much about filming. We shot together in Garia's Boal and the famous train-watching scene near Saktigarh." 

"Didi always looked out for me from the very beginning. We would eat together, joke around, and have fun—just like siblings. She became my sister in real life, just like in the movie," he recalled.

Subir added, "As the years passed, we grew older. We attended several events together over time, and it felt good to see people still remember us from 'Pather Panchali'. Sadly, in recent years, I didn't get to meet didi as much. During Satyajit Ray's centenary, we were all honoured at Nandan for being part of the film, and I thought I'd see her then. But she couldn't make it due to her health condition. I later found out she was suffering from arthritis. After that, we never got another chance to meet."

"Memories can sometimes bring sorrow and pain, and today is one of those days. One by one, everyone from 'Pather Panchali' is leaving us. Someday, I too will have to leave. I wish didi could have stayed a little longer. Maybe we would have met again. But fate didn't give us that chance," Subir concluded.

"Pather Panchali", the first film in Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy, was a cinematic breakthrough. Set in a small Bengal village, the film follows Apu and Durga as they navigate the challenges of rural life, establishing a deeply affectionate sibling relationship that resonated with audiences. 

Subir Banerjee and Uma Dasgupta's unforgettable performances have become integral to the legacy of Indian cinema, forever immortalising the characters of Apu and Durga in the hearts of cinephiles across generations.

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‘Pather Panchali’ actress Uma Dasgupta passes away